Comer Fair 2015

Joshua's First Birthday

Elijah's Sixth Birthday

(Originally Posted January 2015)

Aubrey's Birthday Number 3

Rolling Around the Monkey Tree House

So Today we went to the Monkey Tree House to let the kids run around in a play area for a while. I think Aubrey has the most fun, launching herself in the ball pit multiple times. Then she spent quite some time playing with the giant soft blocks. I took some video, but was greatly disproportionate in my filming of my children. My little girl was just cracking me up.

The most exciting thing was that our little guy rolled over for me for the first time (from his belly to his back). I couldn't get him to repeat it, and I was the sole witness, so... I guess I have no real evidence other than memory.

Anyway, here's the video. Monkey Tree House Fun!

Thanksgiving 2013

Comer Fair 2013 Video

Bath Time Variety

A lot of time its just easier to give all the kids a bath at the same time. Elijah and Aubrey take a bath in the big tub, and Joshua gets one in the baby tub. Here's a glimpse from the other day. Elijah was gone, so Aubrey got the tub to herself. She was so cute just playing quietly in the tub. Joshua wasn't so happy with his arrangment, which I guess is the norm at this age.

Our Third Puppy

Nope, Bennett and Peno do not have a fellow canine in the house. It's just our little girl who likes to pretend she's a family pet.

Stripper

So a little over a month ago, Stephanie texts me a video of my daughter dancing to some Lecrae... in the nude. And if the juxtaposition of Jesus infused rap with inappropriate saltation wasn't enough, Aubrey now thinks that this is of what dancing now consists. So even last weekend at my brothers house when she started preparing to dance, I started chasing her around the house, trying to get her to keep her clothes on.

I'm a bit concerned. I sure hope this isn't how she plans to finance her way through college.

Elijah's Fifth Birthday Party

Hey, I finished it before his Sixth Birthday... (originally posted May 28, 2014)

Aubrey's Birthday Number 2

Thanksgiving 2012

For those we saw, we thoroughly enjoyed every moment we share together. For those we missed this year at Thanksgiving, we hope to see you soon. Love all our friends and family, both present in the video and those that are absent.

Monster Aubrey

The Obvious Differences

It's funny how different and alike we all are. Its in our appearances, like how Elijah is the only one with blond hair, yet shares the blue eyes from his mom. While Aubrey's got our dark hair and my brown eyes (Ah, the mysteries of genetics). It's also in our behavior and our reasoning, like how Stephanie always opens the drapes every morning to let in all the light, and how I close them every night to conserve energy. And even in our idiosyncrasies, like the fact that Elijah is a mouth breather like his mom, and you can hear him from clear across the house when his door is open. And Aubrey is like me, a nose breather (probably because her mouth is always plugged up with a thumb), so its difficult to tell if she's asleep in the dark. Oh, and let's not forget that Aubrey can make the throat scratching noise (Stephanie calls it our "pig noise") that only me and my mother can make.

Aubrey and her Mama at the TN Mall

And its amazing to see how different and unique each child can be, even from early on in development. From the start, Aubrey was much more enjoyable baby, but that was mostly because, well, we had done this before and knew there was an end to sleep deprivation. However, beyond the first few months, Elijah was definitely the easier child for the first eighteen months, but more on that later. We did notice that Aubrey rarely drooled or spit up, and Elijah wore a perpetual bib due to him frequently doing both. And speaking of cleaner, I think Aubrey was a much cleaner eater, and was eager to start eating with spoon before Elijah did.

Aubrey definitely has been slower to talk. She rarely babbles and prefers to speak from the back of the throat, the only real option with her thumb in her mouth. (And thus, we've started her with speech therapy to hopefully head off any problems that may arise). She has yet to say a word, although there have been attempts at "Mama," "Dada," and "Baby." However, its obvious she understands much of what we say. So we're not sure, she may just be stubborn and content to grunt out orders. She also has been more stubborn in learning sign language (although we were not near as consistent with her), but she has caught on, and has developed some of her own, like running to the refrigerator first thing in the morning and making urgent grunts to demand her morning juice.

And speaking of thumbs, she loves hers, and has consistently refused pacifiers. Elijah sucked his thumb for a while, then wore a bad blister, which led us to encourage the switch. But although Aubrey does it more frequently, she is much gentler than her brother was. But I guess that goes for a lot of stuff (like pouring the dog food in the bowls. Aubrey bends way down, Elijah just dumped it all over the floor at her age). One time she tried to get her baby doll to suck her thumb, even trying to push the doll's outstretched fingers down in an attempt to close the hand into a fist. And sometimes she'll reach out to grab things with both hands, while leaving that left thumb still in her mouth. It's hilarious to watch.

Aubrey is much more attached to things, carrying her bear or dolls around the house. Elijah seems to care less if he has his favorite stuffed animal, and often the "favorite" changes day by day. This goes for toys and everything else. I find it fascinating that he'll watch three separate shows on Netflix in one afternoon rather than watching three of the same show. I guess we'll see how Aubrey will be, but she seems to indicate that she like to stick with something for a bit longer, and tends to develop favorites rather than seeking out the newest thing.

Elijah has always been a smiler and a laughter, and sometimes its hard to get him to take stuff seriously. You can easily turn a sour mood into giggles by simply tickling him. Aubrey on the other hand is not much for laughing, but gives the sweetest smiles and giggles when she's in the mood. But when she's not in the mood, tickling and joking only push her over the edge into frustrating cries. Perhaps its a female thing, but she is far more emotional than her brother ever was. Oh, and that girl can scream. I'm fairly convinced she likes to hear herself reach shrill levels, because she'll simply break out into them whenever it strikes her.

Elijah playing with the neighbor kids.

Elijah seems much more social, absolutely loving the playdates with his friends. He loves going to Awana, church, the playground at Chick-fil-A or any place with other kids, and there he makes new friends quickly (although he often does not remember their names, but he does thank God for his new friend that night). Aubrey has her moments of playing with others, but she seems much more content to play by herself, or at least get into everything she's not suppose to. However, every time Elijah is sent to his room (for misbehavior), she usually follows him in, where she is then trapped by Elijah when he closes his door so as not to let her escape.

Aubrey at the Royston Park

And speaking of being trapped, its interesting to see how they have both responded to being held down. Neither of course like it, but as I think back to how Elijah thrashed and fought every tooth brushing I realize he still fights hard now against discipline, whether its a spanking or time-out. Yet Aubrey merely cries and screams when being held down with very little physical battle. Just the other night she fought the same way as we held a warm cloth over her eyes to sooth an eye infection. She tried to reach up and pull the cloth away once or twice, but after we brushed her hand aside, she sat there and cried. I wonder if she'll be the same way with discipline, still vocal in her displeasure, but not so physical.

I know there are many more things that set each one of them apart. We're all so different, and I'm already curious how different the next child will be. Its such a privilege to watch these little ones grow up. I can't wait to see what God will bless us with tomorrow.

Look, Ma! No Training Wheels!

After about a week of him pestering me at inopportune times (like when friends were over or when it was time to start getting ready for bed) to take his training wheels off, we finally took the plunge this Saturday. I got my tools out and took his training wheels off. It's only been a little more than three weeks with a bike, but he decided he was ready to be a big kid (that all encompassing title when a child is ready to move to the next stage and learn something new).

I was amazed. His first push, and he was peddling for several yards in the grass. No looking back, no making sure I didn't let go. No fear. And we did it again, and again, and again. We practiced several times that day, riding down a small hill in the grass out back. Then we tried it out in our col de sac. We practiced more on Sunday (focusing on getting the bike moving), and then he and his mom did some more yesterday. We were excited and impressed. Elijah couldn't wait to tell anyone who came over (his friend Micah, our neighbors Scott and Denise, etc.). With nothing more than a little helpful steady push to get him moving, he's now riding around our neighborhood like he's been riding for months. I honestly expected a lot more falls, a lot more tears, and a much steaper learning curve. The Squeeze has proven me wrong.

"Easy as eatin pancakes."

The Swimmer

Elijah took swim lessons a few weeks ago. The first day we got a good report, but the second day, he apparently cried for half the class. He was not wanting to go under the water because he kept getting water up his nose. I can sympathize. I hate that feeling myself.

Well, that was on a Tuesday, so that night as Stephanie was at Bible Study, I got Aubrey into bed and then filled up our Garden Bath Tub for a practice round with my son. I kept trying to get him to hold his breath and stick his face in the water, but he was hesitant every step of the way until I figured out his problem.

"Okay, Buddy. Just look at me and hold your breath." I took a deep breath and held my mouth shut for an example. He imitated me with sealed lips and puffed out checks, while at the same time huffing and puffing out of his nose. I think we found the problem.

"You're not a fish," I said, "You can't breath out your nose when your under water." I then explained how to hold his nose and hold his breath and then put his face in the water. He followed my directions, and sat with his face in the water for about ten seconds. He came up smiling, thrilled with his new found skills.

From that point on, we were told he was one of the best in his class. The fear was gone, and he didn't hesitate to even jump off the diving board. Now he's excited to go to the pool at my parent's house, and more often than not, he wants to "practice swimming" in the bathtub. This consists of him putting on his swim goggles, laying prostrate and submerging his whole body under water, and then swimming the remaining six inches left in the tub, water sloshing around in his wake.

Elijah's Birthday

Elijah's Pirate Birthday Party was so great. The kids had a blast, and it sure seemed like they enjoyed playing outside, even digging for "Treasure" (Plastic Pirate Coins and Gold and Silver foiled candy). I should have thought through that one more, sticking chocolate candy in warm sand, and then letting children stuff them into small pouches... not a great mix.

Elijah thanks everyone for all the great presents. He's continued to wear his costume, and has pestered us more than usual to play outside so he can ride his bike. And when he's inside, he enjoys all the other great stuff, and can't wait to travel so he can use his new luggage. Thanks also for the presence of all those that came. We all had a great time.

Whew... Pirate Party's are a lot of work.

The Firetruck: A Sibling Comparison

Aubrey's First Birthday